§19 Love Heartily for God (1 Pet. 4:7–11) 4:7 / The end of all things is near: The second coming is not in view here as much as is the transience of all that pertains to the closing present age. When he goes on to admonish readers to be clear minded and self-controlled, Peter is not seeking to calm over-excited readers keyed up by the anticipation of Christ’s return, a situation Paul once had to address (2 Thess. 2:1–2). The readers are bidden to hold loosely to earthly commitments and not to let